It’s the vibe

GEELONG councillors will consider the views of Geelong West residents who want “inappropriate development”, including a high-rise supermarket and apartments along Pako, blocked from new planning guidelines.

Concerned residents used question time at last week’s City of Greater Geelong meeting to raise concerns they have with the Interim Final Urban Design Framework which will shape future development in Geelong West’s Pakington Street and Gordon Avenue.

The framework proposes allowing Pakington Strand, which currently has a single-storey Woolworths supermarket with no height restriction, become a multi-storey complex.

Buildings up to 10 storeys high could also be built along the northern end of Pako towards Church Street under the proposed plan which is currently out for public consultation.

Councillors listened to strong opinions and questions from three local people including Cr Jane Mooney who described Pako as a “very special place with a unique village vibe and surrounded by heritage homes”.

Dr Mooney said the council had a genuine opportunity to rejuvenate the area in a thoughtful way that enhanced liveability.

However, she said the UDF contained plans for “inappropriate development” with “ridiculously high” buildings that would be inappropriate in Melbourne let alone in Geelong West.

Dr Mooney told councillors that traffic and parking were already an issue, with two primary schools increasing traffic at certain times.

She said the impact of “high-rise” development would have a significant impact on residents and their homes, listing traffic, parking, overshadowing, visual disturbance and noise among the key concerns.

The Mercer Street area, with better train and road access, was suggested as a more appropriate area for the four- to 10-storey development proposed for Pako.

Dr Mooney asked council to halve the proposed building heights in Pako, divert high-rise development to Mercer Street and reconsider guidelines allowing a high-rise supermarket on Pako.

City director planning, design and development Gareth Smith said all written submissions via the consultation process and views expressed during question time would be considered.

He said all community responses were “great feedback” and were what the council needed to consider before the UDF was finalised and introduced.

The city has invited all members of the community to make an online submission on the Interim Final UDF via its website, or email to [email protected] or by writing to the Urban Design and Heritage Unit at Wadawurrung Country, PO Box 104, Geelong, VIC 3220 before September 17.